2018 Walk of Fame Recipients Announced

May 15, 2018

The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Walk of Fame Award. This year's recipients are the late Robert Ralph Carmichael (artist) and Mae and the late Dr. Lou Lukenda (humanitarian).

Robert Ralph Carmichael, an internationally known artist, was born in Sault Ste. Marie. Carmichael was an artist, teacher and mentor who exhibited his works throughout Canada. Most famously, Carmichael is known as the artist who created the loon on the $1 coin. The coin was instantly dubbed the Loonie after the loon that graces the coin's reverse side. Carmichael also designed a $1 stamp featuring the loon for Canada post as well as more than a dozen special edition coins in gold and silver including one to commemorate the 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth.

Dr. Lou and Mae Lukenda, benevolent humanitarians and philanthropists, are well-known community leaders supportive of various causes especially in education, medicine and athletics in Sault Ste. Marie and internationally. The Dr. Lou and Mae Lukenda Charitable Foundation, under the direction of their children, continues to inspire organizations within our community.

The Walk of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have achieved a provincial, national or international excellence in a competitive athletic endeavour or cultural, academic or humanitarian field. Nominees must have been born in Sault Ste. Marie or lived in the city or surrounding area during their lifetime.

An awards ceremony recognizing this year's inductees will be held at a later date. The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame is a joint project of the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Downtown Association.